Country Roads Take Me Home

Imagine if you will, driving in the dark to an unknown city, boarding a bus that takes you 13.1 miles out to a dam and finding your way back.

OK it wasn't exactly like that. We did not have to find our way back during the third running of the Sheyenne Valley Shuffle Half Marathon. This was by far the smallest race (43 peeps) that I have ever participated in. The day was clear and the temperature low (46 at the start) so it made for mostly good running along the country roads of North Dakota. The only thing one may be concerned with is that it was against a head wind the entire way. But, that is the nature of North Dakota my friends.

The race started out easily enough, with me in last place. Apparently the slow folks do not enter this race. Witness my 27th out of 43 finish. Other than the young lady who would finish in over three hours, everyone was pretty much long gone and spread out after the first mile. But I am a patient man, biding my time and my pace:

• Mile 1 - 9:04
• Mile 2 - 9:01
• Mile 3 - 9:04
• Mile 4 - 9:03
• Mile 5 - 8:57
• Mile 6 - 9:21 (energy gel)
• Mile 7 - 8:46
• Mile 8 - 8:46
• Mile 9 - 8:39
• Mile 10 - 8:32 (energy gel)
• Mile 11 - 7:55
• Mile 12 - 7:59
• Mile 13 - 8:00
• The rest - 7:58 pace

As you can see the run was basically in three parts and pretty consistent through each "zone" if you will. What you do not see is that I finished in 1:54:48 which is a PR!

Once you get over the wind in your face for the whole race idea, it was actually a pretty good run. Rolling hills with some nice flat sections and Midwest sensible scenery the entire route. While there was no traffic control (just a few signs (and I mean a "few") that said "Runners on road") it was not a big deal because the drivers were very courteous and gave us plenty of room.

What could be a big deal is if you are not having a good run. One of the first instructions we received was, "We've asked them to hold the train for two hours." Imagine coming up on Mile 7 and hearing a train whistle (you cross the tracks after Mile 9) and you are screaming to yourself, "It hasn't been two hours yet..." Thankfully, the train was not a factor.

There were only three water stops and although they were well manned, there were only three water stops. With the sun high in the sky, it was an issue for some, but not for me as I had my water bottle in hand.

If you need a cheering crowd, you better speak "moo" because other than some vocal cows, you will not hear anything until you get into town (Mile 10). Trust me, the cows were a vocal horde. Loosely translated, "We're saying 'moo' not 'boo'!!!"

I have to say the volunteers were more than excellent. As I mentioned, the water stops were well manned and once we got into town (Valley City, ND), they did a wonderful job of traffic control and guiding the runners through the city.

I must also give a shout out to Cory. I talked with Cory before the race and it is important to know that he has cerebral palsy. Yet, he still got out there to complete his second half marathon. In fact, I did not catch Cory until just after Mile 11 and while he was struggling, he was pushing on like there was no tomorrow. Cory finished in 1:58:56. My pal Annie, who works for the company I am consulting at these two weeks, also had a great run, finishing in under two hours.

Two years ago, this half marathon began with 21 runners. They have doubled in size and should continue to grow. It's a very nice run and can easily accomodate several hundred runners. If I am ever up this way yonder when this event takes place, you can sign me up again.

Comments

[Barbara]

Awesome finish - check out those splits! Especially cool PR done basically through your mental fortitude and legs, since crowds cheering to pump up the adrenaline were at a minimum.

I'm guessing no timing mats or photographers this time?

[Karen]

Congratulations on your PR! I'll take 46 degrees too. Can you bring it back with you?

[Crosstrain]

Have yourself a brew on me. Brilliant run my friend.

[Tiggs]

yay! congrats on the PR!!!!